LOVING GOD FOR WHO HE IS

I don’t know about you but for too many years when I prayed it was like a shopping list- latest fashion, newest electronic gadget, or more of my favorite color (money green). Oh, I also was a man who thanked God in my praying. I thanked Him for my salvation, parents, wife, children and all the other blessings He bestowed upon me. I’m not saying there was anything wrong with thanking God for what He did in my life, or to even come before Him with my needs and maybe even some wants along the way. There’s nothing wrong with any of this. But somewhere along the way the Holy Spirit convicted me of thanking God so much for what He did, that I had forgotten to thank and praise Him for who He is. In fact, He does what He does because of who He is; because of His character and nature.

There are two verses I want you to consider in Deuteronomy 10:17-18 “For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward: He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.”

These words were given by Moses in the fortieth year of the wandering of the nation of Israel prior to them entering the land that God had promised years before. And don’t forget, this would also be close to the death of this great leader. They had come so close to marching victoriously into the land once before, but had failed in their faith. Now Moses is challenging them, and he draws their attention to their God and gives descriptions of him. Notice the words “God of gods,” Lord of lords,” “great,” “mighty,” and “terrible.” Moses also pointed out that He was “no respector of persons” nor “takes bribes.” He also takes care of the “orphans” and “widows,” and “loves” the stranger. This is their God. His actions are because of Who He is.

Then two verses later, Deuteronomy 10:20-21 we read “Thou shalt fear (revere) the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name. He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen.”

All of these actions, “fear,” “serve,” “cleave,” “swear by,” and “praise,” are all because of love. You don’t revere a person you don’t love. Neither do you serve and praise a person you are not in love with. What Moses is trying to get them to understand is that they must truly love their God if they ever trust Him for their future.

Remember when Jesus was asked what was the greatest commandment, He told them it was to love the Lord with all that they were; their entire being. And in light of our subject matter here, they were to love God for who He was and not what He had done, because who He was and is dictates what He does.

We are to do the same. We’re to love God for who He is, not just what He does. We’re to thank and praise Him for His character; His nature. The Psalmist said in Psalm 37:4 “Delight thyself also in the LORD;. . .” It didn’t say delight in Him for what He does. We also read in Psalm 100:2 “Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” Again, not just for what He does but for who He is.

What is God’s nature? What is His character? Who is He? We know of His Omnipotence, Omniscience and His Omni-Presence. This is God’s nature. But He’s also Love – I John 4:8 “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” God is also Righteous – Ezra 9:15 “O LORD God of Israel, thou art righteous:” Psalm 7:9 “. . . for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.” God is Holy - I Peter 1:16 “Because it is written Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

There is so much more that describes who God is but I think that’s enough to get across my point. God’s nature, character or who God is determines His action. And because His actions are always in harmony with who He is, we can trust Him in everything He does. And so you and I should always thank Him for who He is. When was the last time you told God you loved Him for who He is?

I had a dear friend that many of you know. His name was Gordon Carpenter. He was one of the most godly men I have ever known. He’s now enjoying this reward with His Saviour, whom he loved and served so many years. I had the privilege of serving on a church staff with this man and also had the privilege of having him speak both in my military church in Germany and in Lakeland, Florida. I remember a mission trip I took with him, his dear wife, my wife, Dick and Charlotte Acock and a group of young people to Nassau. One day He, Missionary Pastor Jack Harvey and I were going to pray. Bro. Carpenter’s prayer was filled with Scripture. I remember vividly how He thanked and praised God for who He was. Bro. Harvey and I both marveled at how much He loved God for who He was and not just for what God had done. That made such an impact upon me that I began to search my heart to see if I loved God just because of what He had done or for who He is. It made a difference in my prayer life.

Let me challenge you to search your own heart. Be honest about why you love God. The next time you pray, start with telling God that you love Him for who is He – “Thank You God that You are Holy. I love You God because You are Righteous, etc.”

That’s my view; how about you?